diff --git a/backend/open_webui/env.py b/backend/open_webui/env.py
index d49a79b3b1..a880cae45f 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/env.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/env.py
@@ -364,6 +364,11 @@ if DATABASE_USER_ACTIVE_STATUS_UPDATE_INTERVAL is not None:
     except Exception:
         DATABASE_USER_ACTIVE_STATUS_UPDATE_INTERVAL = 0.0
 
+# Enable public visibility of active user count (when disabled, only admins can see it)
+ENABLE_PUBLIC_ACTIVE_USERS_COUNT = (
+    os.environ.get("ENABLE_PUBLIC_ACTIVE_USERS_COUNT", "True").lower() == "true"
+)
+
 RESET_CONFIG_ON_START = (
     os.environ.get("RESET_CONFIG_ON_START", "False").lower() == "true"
 )
diff --git a/backend/open_webui/main.py b/backend/open_webui/main.py
index d8e937a567..28e3dbcc8e 100644
--- a/backend/open_webui/main.py
+++ b/backend/open_webui/main.py
@@ -473,6 +473,7 @@ from open_webui.env import (
     EXTERNAL_PWA_MANIFEST_URL,
     AIOHTTP_CLIENT_SESSION_SSL,
     ENABLE_STAR_SESSIONS_MIDDLEWARE,
+    ENABLE_PUBLIC_ACTIVE_USERS_COUNT,
 )
 
 
@@ -1848,6 +1849,7 @@ async def get_app_config(request: Request):
             "enable_login_form": app.state.config.ENABLE_LOGIN_FORM,
             "enable_websocket": ENABLE_WEBSOCKET_SUPPORT,
             "enable_version_update_check": ENABLE_VERSION_UPDATE_CHECK,
+            "enable_public_active_users_count": ENABLE_PUBLIC_ACTIVE_USERS_COUNT,
             **(
                 {
                     "enable_direct_connections": app.state.config.ENABLE_DIRECT_CONNECTIONS,
@@ -2024,10 +2026,19 @@ async def get_current_usage(user=Depends(get_verified_user)):
     This is an experimental endpoint and subject to change.
     """
     try:
+        # If public visibility is disabled, only allow admins to access this endpoint
+        if not ENABLE_PUBLIC_ACTIVE_USERS_COUNT and user.role != "admin":
+            raise HTTPException(
+                status_code=status.HTTP_403_FORBIDDEN,
+                detail="Access denied. Only administrators can view usage statistics.",
+            )
+
         return {
             "model_ids": get_models_in_use(),
             "user_count": Users.get_active_user_count(),
         }
+    except HTTPException:
+        raise
     except Exception as e:
         log.error(f"Error getting usage statistics: {e}")
         raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Internal Server Error")
diff --git a/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/UserMenu.svelte b/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/UserMenu.svelte
index 746834933d..aca72cf39d 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/UserMenu.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/layout/Sidebar/UserMenu.svelte
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 	import { getUsage } from '$lib/apis';
 	import { getSessionUser, userSignOut } from '$lib/apis/auths';
 
-	import { showSettings, mobile, showSidebar, showShortcuts, user } from '$lib/stores';
+	import { showSettings, mobile, showSidebar, showShortcuts, user, config } from '$lib/stores';
 
 	import { WEBUI_API_BASE_URL } from '$lib/constants';
 
@@ -59,9 +59,14 @@
 		}
 	};
 
-	$: if (show) {
-		getUsageInfo();
-	}
+	const handleDropdownChange = (state: boolean) => {
+		dispatch('change', state);
+
+		// Fetch usage info when dropdown opens, if user has permission
+		if (state && ($config?.features?.enable_public_active_users_count || role === 'admin')) {
+			getUsageInfo();
+		}
+	};
 </script>
 
 <ShortcutsModal bind:show={$showShortcuts} />
@@ -75,9 +80,7 @@
 <!-- svelte-ignore a11y-no-static-element-interactions -->
 <DropdownMenu.Root
 	bind:open={show}
-	onOpenChange={(state) => {
-		dispatch('change', state);
-	}}
+	onOpenChange={handleDropdownChange}
 >
 	<DropdownMenu.Trigger>
 		<slot />
@@ -352,7 +355,7 @@
 				<div class=" self-center truncate">{$i18n.t('Sign Out')}</div>
 			</DropdownMenu.Item>
 
-			{#if showActiveUsers && usage}
+			{#if showActiveUsers && ($config?.features?.enable_public_active_users_count || role === 'admin') && usage}
 				{#if usage?.user_count}
 					<hr class=" border-gray-50/30 dark:border-gray-800/30 my-1 p-0" />
 
@@ -364,7 +367,9 @@
 						<div
 							class="flex rounded-xl py-1 px-3 text-xs gap-2.5 items-center"
 							on:mouseenter={() => {
-								getUsageInfo();
+								if ($config?.features?.enable_public_active_users_count || role === 'admin') {
+									getUsageInfo();
+								}
 							}}
 						>
 							<div class=" flex items-center">